Rapist and Accused Killer Byron Scherf Wanted His Jailhouse Snacks

Coming between a man and his snacks is risky business - a lesson Snohomish County law enforcement is apparently learning the hard way as it grapples with the case of 53-year-old Byron Scherf, charged with aggravated murder in the killing of Washington State Reformatory employee Jayme Biendl back in January 2011.

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According to The Herald , Scherf - a repeat rapist currently serving a life sentence and who now stands accused of strangling Biendl with an amplifier cord as she worked in the Washington State Reformatory prison chapel - had initially been cooperative with investigators working the case ... until he was wronged, according to a letter he recently mailed to the paper.

How was Scherf wronged?

The man wanted his snacks (among other things).

From The Herald:

... Scherf complained about not being allowed access to jailhouse snacks and other privileges, which he claimed to have been promised in exchange for cooperation with detectives investigating the killing of Jayme Biendl.

Along with being allowed to purchase snacks, Scherf - who was relocated to a jail in Everett and kept isolated from other inmates after Biendl's body was discovered- was also reportedly angling for the ability to purchase a Bible and other reading material, in addition to regular access to a razor, more opportunities for visits and phone calls, and soap, toothpaste and a toothbrush in his cell.

According to Scherf's letter and court documents in the case, when investigators allegedly reneged on their promises the inmate's cooperation came to a halt.

From The Herald:

"We're done!" Scherf wrote the detective on March 7, 2011. "See you in about five years when the case finally makes it to trial -- and many years beyond, on appeal, if it comes to that!"

Scherf's case is scheduled to go to trial in the fall. Currently Snohomish County prosecutors and lawyers representing Scherf are arguing over whether a jury will see videotaped interviews Scherf gave to investigators back in February, while he was still cooperating. In those interviews Scherf is said to describe how he killed Biendl - which apparently came as retaliation for something she'd said regarding his wife.